329: Breakthrough to Dou Zun

Ten days later.

On this day, above the familiar open-air alchemy platform in the Xiao Family's back mountain, an unusual phenomenon reappeared!

The originally clear sky was unexpectedly enveloped by lead-gray thunderclouds gathering from all directions.

The clouds were thick and low-hanging, with electric snakes wildly dancing within and thunder rolling, emitting a pressure far more terrifying than when Zheng Family's Old Ancestor was refining pills previously!

Within a ten-mile radius, birds were startled, and beasts lay dormant.

However, unlike the commotion and panic caused by the first few Pill Lightning descents, the various forces in this area were now accustomed to such sights, even somewhat numb.

"Tsk, over at the Xiao Family's back mountain, is that Master Jiang refining pills again?"

"Looking at the momentum of this Pill Lightning, it's probably a Seventh-Grade Intermediate, or even a high-tier medicinal pill!"

"Alas, comparing oneself to others is infuriating! The Xiao Family truly had incredible luck to be able to invite such a powerful figure to reside permanently!"

"Indeed! But thankfully, although the Xiao Family has accumulated a lot of resources and expanded its influence significantly in the past few months, leveraging that Master's reputation, they've acted with discretion and haven't shown any ambition to swallow up all other families."

"That's true, but look at the mines and medicinal fields they've secretly acquired. Backed by a Seventh-Grade Alchemist Master, with a continuous flow of resources and experts vying to join, it's only a matter of time before they become the overlord within a thousand-mile radius at this rate."

Amidst the discussions, there was a strong mix of envy, jealousy, and a hint of helpless acknowledgment.

Everyone understood that a new era was quietly dawning under the influence of this mysterious Master Jiang.

On the alchemy platform, Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged, his face slightly pale, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

Seven consecutive days of intense focus on controlling the fusion and nurturing of the dignity-breaking spirit seal pill had greatly consumed his Soul Power.

At this moment, within the Medicine Cauldron, the immense energy had reached perfection, triggering this final Pill Lightning tribulation.

"Senior Xiao, the Pill Lightning is imminent!"

Jiang Donghua said in a deep voice.

"Young friend, focus on refining your pill! Leave everything to this old man!"

Xiao Zhen, the Xiao Family's Old Ancestor, who had been waiting by his side, responded loudly, his voice full of vigor, brimming with unprecedented confidence and anticipation!

He leaped into the air, his formidable aura as a Peak Dou Zong erupting without reservation!

Facing the destructive lightning tribulation that would make an ordinary Dou Zong change color, Xiao Zhen's eyes showed no fear, but rather burned with fervent fighting intent!

"Boom—!"

The first silver lightning bolt, as thick as a giant pillar, tore through the clouds and struck down fiercely!

"Good timing!"

Xiao Zhen roared, not dodging, his palms, imbued with incomparably thick golden Fighting Qi, transformed into a solid giant palm print, directly clashing with the lightning!

"Bang!"

Amidst the earth-shattering roar, the lightning dissipated, and Xiao Zhen's figure swayed slightly before he stood firm!

Immediately after, the second and third lightning bolts came, each more ferocious and violent than the last!

Yet, Xiao Zhen fought with increasing courage, displaying his lifelong knowledge to its fullest, either clashing head-on or skillfully deflecting, managing to withstand this terrifying seventh grade high-tier medicinal pill lightning, one after another, by himself!

When the last and strongest dark-purple lightning bolt was shattered by Xiao Zhen with a secret Dou Technique, the sky full of thunderclouds finally dissipated slowly with reluctance, and the world returned to clarity.

Xiao Zhen slowly descended from the sky, his breath somewhat hurried and his clothes slightly disheveled, but his face was filled with uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement!

Almost at the moment the thunderclouds dispersed, the Medicine Cauldron on the alchemy platform emitted a clear hum, and its lid automatically opened.

A jade-green light shot into the sky, and an extremely rich medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the air, invigorating one's spirit upon smelling it, as if even the surrounding space rippled subtly!

A medicinal pill, the size of a dragon's eye, entirely jade-green like emerald, with nine clear and profound patterns on its surface, and subtle spatial energy fluctuations around it, slowly flew out and landed in the warm jade bottle Jiang Donghua had already prepared.

The seventh grade high-tier medicinal pill—dignity-breaking spirit seal pill, was complete!

Xiao Zhen quickly walked to Jiang Donghua, his gaze burning as he looked at the jade bottle, his hands trembling slightly from excitement.

He bowed deeply to Jiang Donghua, his voice choked with extreme excitement.

"Master Jiang! Words cannot express my gratitude! For the grace of this pill, I, Xiao Zhen, and my Xiao Family, will never forget it! Henceforth, should Master have any command, the Xiao Family, from top to bottom, will brave mountains of blades and seas of fire without a second thought!"

Jiang Donghua handed him the jade bottle, a tired yet relieved smile appearing on his face.

"Senior, you are too polite. The pill is complete; I wish Senior an early breakthrough and entry into the Dou Zun realm!"

Xiao Zhen tightly gripped the jade bottle, feeling the immense energy and a hint of profound spatial power contained within the pill, his heart filled with heroic spirit!

The Dou Zun realm, he had longed for it for far too long!

Now, hope was within reach!

He bowed deeply to Jiang Donghua once more, then impatiently turned and transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards the deepest part of the Xiao Family's secluded cultivation chamber.

He was going to assault that long-desired Dou Zun bottleneck!

Jiang Donghua watched Xiao Zhen's receding figure and let out a soft sigh.

Time flew like an arrow, and days and months passed swiftly.

Since Jiang Donghua refined the dignity-breaking spirit seal pill, more than half a year had quietly elapsed in this calm yet subtly turbulent period of cultivation and waiting.

During this half-year, Jiang Donghua did not travel far.

He remained in the Xiao Family, on one hand, using the Xiao Family's increasingly vast intelligence network to continuously monitor for any information possibly related to Red Silk and his master Mo Xuan, and on the other hand, he diligently cultivated, digesting the insights gained from consecutive days of high-intensity alchemy, and constantly refining his Fighting Qi and Soul Power with the subtle heaven and earth energy absorbed during the refining of seventh-grade pills.

In half a year, he went from a Three-star Dou Zong to the Dou Zun realm, stabilizing at the Two-star level!

If such a cultivation speed were to spread, it would silence the entire Northern Region of Central State!

Xiao Han, who had been guarding outside the quiet room, acting as his protector, pushed the door open after sensing the aura calm down.

He looked at Jiang Donghua, whose aura had become even more unfathomable, his face no longer showing the initial shock and exaggerated expressions, only a near-numb calmness, and a hint of reverence in the depths of his eyes that even he himself hadn't noticed.

He shook his head, his tone carrying a sense of resigned emotion.

"Brother Jiang, I am utterly convinced now. Your promotion speed is simply inhuman, cough, it simply cannot be measured by common sense."

"I think, becoming famous throughout the Fighting Qi Continent will be a small matter for you in the future. Perhaps one day, you'll become a legendary Dou Zun Expert!"

"By then, even those ancient races, whose heads are seen but not their tails, will have to treat you respectfully!"

Jiang Donghua merely smiled faintly at these words, saying nothing more.

The Dou Zun realm was still distant for him now. However, Xiao Han's words were not entirely without reason.

Strength was the only capital for survival, establishing oneself, and seeking the truth on this continent.

His gaze turned towards the depths of the Xiao Family's back mountain, to the secluded cultivation place designated as forbidden, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Senior Xiao has been in seclusion for nearly eight months, and there's still no movement..."

Xiao Han's relaxed expression also vanished, and he sighed.

"Yes, Grandfather's seclusion this time is indeed a bit too long. Some elders in the clan are secretly anxious."

Jiang Donghua consoled him.

"Assaulting the Dou Zun realm is no small matter. Especially with the aid of medicinal pills, it requires even more time to completely refine the medicinal power and comprehend the mysteries of space."

"It's common for people to enter death seclusion for several years or even more than ten years. Senior Xiao has a solid foundation and the assistance of the dignity-breaking spirit seal pill, so the chances of success are high; there's no need to worry too much."

However, just as his words fell.

"Buzz!!!"

An indescribably terrifying pressure suddenly erupted from the depths of the Xiao Family's back mountain!

Immediately after, a dazzling, almost solid golden light pillar shot up into the sky, piercing through the clouds!

Within the light pillar, there was an incomparably pure and sharp metallic energy, illuminating the entire Xiao Family mountain range in a golden hue!

The clouds in the sky were instantly scattered by this sudden powerful aura, and the heaven and earth energy within several hundred miles began to converge frantically towards that light pillar!

"This is... a sign of a breakthrough!"

Jiang Donghua's eyes flashed, and he rose abruptly.

"Grandfather! Grandfather succeeded!"

Xiao Han was stunned for a moment, then an expression of wild joy surged onto his face, so excited he almost jumped!

This aura, vast and boundless, far surpassed the Dou Zong level, carrying an authority that transcended all beings, a preliminary control over space!

This was clearly a sign of successfully entering the Dou Zun realm!

Almost at the same time, everyone in the Xiao Family, from top to bottom, all clan members, no matter where they were or what they were doing, clearly felt this aura!

After a brief silence, earth-shattering cheers erupted from every corner of the Xiao Family!

"The Old Ancestor has broken through!"

"It's a Dou Zun! Our Xiao Family has given birth to a Dou Zun Expert!"

"Heaven bless the Xiao Family! Heaven bless the Xiao Family!"

All members of the Xiao Family, from elders to ordinary disciples, were beaming with joy, so excited that tears welled up in their eyes!

The birth of a Dou Zun Expert meant that the Xiao Family would completely break free from the shackles of being a regional family and truly join the ranks of first-class forces in the Northern Region of Central State!

This was a moment worthy of being recorded in the most glorious page of the clan's history!

Jiang Donghua looked at the golden light pillar that pierced through heaven and earth, feeling the stable and powerful Dou Zun aura within it, and a sincere smile appeared on his face.